Dogs running free may have wiped out colony of threatened birds on Disappearing Island

Nearly 90 percent of the 63 rare least tern nests on a Volusia County beach disappeared at some point over the past week, in a demonstration of the fragile nature of nesting seabird colonies.A week after celebrating the 63 nests, county officials returned to the colony on Disappearing Island on Wednesday and found only six nests, two of them new from the week before. They believe dogs running free in protected areas could be partly to blame.County officials found some flightless chicks, said Jennifer Winters, the county’s coastal habitat program manager, “but the colony was pretty devastated.” “It’s a major disappointment,” she said. “People were really interested and excited.”It was the first time a sizable colony of least terns had been found on a Volusia beach in the last 10 years, said Alex Kropp, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist responsible for helping ensure the protected birds continue nesting along Florida beaches.Least terns are considered a threatened species in Florida, but are endangered in parts of the West and the Great Plains states, according to the wildlife commission. The National Audubon Society estimates the global population at fewer than 68,000 birds.County officials suspect that a trio of unleashed dogs may have played a role in disrupting the colony. On Monday about 5 p.m., Michael Brothers with the Volusia County Marine Science Center snapped long-distance photos of a couple strolling near the colony with five dogs. Three of the dogs were allowed to roam around inside the roped off area and spent some time in one area with their noses to the ground, Brothers reported to Winters. Dog tracks were found inside the colony during an inspection Wednesday, Winters said. As word of the incident spread, it infuriated local scientists and birdwatchers who monitor nesting birds and had them calling for more action to protect the birds or prosecute people who violate the marked off areas. No rules prohibit dogs on Disappearing Island or other nearby areas along the waterways at Ponce Inlet, which has long been a sore subject with bird scientists and bird watchers. But the nesting area had been clearly posted with “keep out” signs declaring it an important bird area, and noting that disturbance by people, pets or vehicles can be harmful to resting or nesting birds. Kacy Ray, a local program manager with the American Bird Conservancy, told Winters in an email that she had seen the same couple on the island previously.If the people who own the dogs are located, Kropp said they “could be potentially prosecuted.” He said if it was proven they were disturbing the birds, they could face fines of up to $500 and/or six months in jail. Terns react to dogs “in a pretty major way,” Kropp said. “They flush up quickly and will stay away for an extended period of time.” Dogs will eat chicks and eggs, he said. Additionally, eggs left uncovered on a white sandy beach “can just fry in the hot sun,” said Kropp. “It looks like that may be what happened there.”Kropp said the incident underlines the need for bird stewards in those areas. Kropp hopes a locally created shorebird partnership could help recruit and train stewards who can help educate people about the nests and report violations of the protected zones to law enforcement. Winters said the reaction to the nesting colony had been very positive, including from members of the Disappearing Island Facebook group. The nests were on one side toward the center of the island, an area not typically used by boaters who anchor on the north and south ends of the popular sandy island. “People will be aware and may be more mindful,” she said. “There are still some nests and chicks and we’re hopeful for some success from the colony.” Winters, trying to think positive, said they think maybe three tern chicks had fledged and may have flown out of the posted area to join the large number of least terns hanging out nearby. To make matters worse, two tern colonies on local flat roofed buildings also appeared to vanish this week, said Brandon Noel, an assistant professor in Bethune-Cookman University’s graduate program.A colony on a roof at the university failed with “no obvious reason,” said Noel, and so did a colony on top of a local salon.